French authorities announced on Thursday the rescue of over 150 migrants attempting to reach Britain via overloaded boats in the Strait of Dover. Maritime officials reported two migrant vessels in distress early that morning.
The first vessel, which had departed from the Gravelines area near Dunkirk, requested assistance after several hours at sea. Rescuers brought 77 individuals to Calais, according to the Premar maritime authority. The second boat, carrying 76 people, was rescued and its passengers were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they were received by border agents.
These attempts to cross the Channel come amid political campaigns in Britain for the general election on July 4, where immigration is a key issue. Earlier this month, over 880 irregular migrants crossed the Channel to Britain on small boats, marking the highest single-day total this year, according to the UK government.
So far this year, an estimated 12,313 people have made the crossing to Britain, an 18% increase from the same period last year, the UK Home Office reported. Tragically, at least 15 migrants have died attempting the crossing this year, surpassing the 12 fatalities recorded for the whole of last year.
